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Also don't Rhodia do a nice small notebook? Quite few to choose from here: http://www.bureaudirect.co.uk/a6-books-and-smaller/c53
Great picture of your system! I see you underline each day and identify the week number?
Can you explain a little more about your method?
Thanks,
Ditto re: Leon.
Spill the beans!
<< You can get them in the UK from here: http://www.thepaperie.co.uk/notebooks/field-notes-notebooks I haven't found them anywhere else. >>
Amazon doesn't sell them themselves but they do have three partners who do (including Paperie), so you can keep an eye on who does them cheapest.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0034KDEMO/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_d1_g14_i1?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0VQBTMVJ90C3MY0S5TCV&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=467128533&pf_rd_i=468294
(I was amused by the box which says "I'd like to read this book on Kindle"!)
Each morning I draw a line to start a new day and write the date according to the calendar we use at work – the workweek we’re in and the day (today is 46.Wed). I guess I’m using a hybrid of Mark’s AF/SF (I have no idea which one) and Alan Baljeu’s “Here It Is”. I treat the last couple of pages as a closed list and work through them once, then work the previous four pages, then return to current, then back where I left off, then to current, etc. Work and home are in the same list. I get reminders on my iPhone (via Due) for things that must get done, especially at home since I don’t check my list for home items very often.
I do “all” of my work from my desk on my PC through Outlook email and in phone meetings, so a lot of what I do (database, Excel, answering questions, providing information) does not get recorded in my list.
It’s nothing special. I’m just using what works for me until Mark publishes his next iteration.
Take a strip of duct tape and carefully fold it in half lengthways to make a thinner strip which is the same length and no longer sticky. Wrap into a loop and clip your pencil in. Then work out where on the book to attach it and use another piece of duct tape to secure it. I've done this in the past, it works. You can also cut a piece out of the first strip to leave a sticky section at each end after folding and attach it directly. Duct tape is ace! I got this from an idea after watching a video on making a duct tape wallet (google will tell you more on that).
Or you can slip a pencil down the wire spine, after blocking one end with crumpled paper.
Or http://www.bureaudirect.co.uk/leuchtturm-pen-loop/p2525
(though investing £2.25 on a loop for a 1€ notebook does seem a little unbalanced
Or duct tape and elastic.
Thanks for the information. Dividing up the days with a line has given me an idea:
The rules, or guidlines are:
1. AF1 method is followed, except that the closed list is now a day. The list for the current day can be left open during the day so that new entries can be added.
2. Urgent items are marked with a 'U' (or other symbol) at either side of the task, preferably to the right. These can be done at any time and in any order.
3. Items that need following up in the future can either go onto the list, or onto an external reminder system for re-entry later (e.g. tickler, Outlook tasks).
This approach will likely require a more aggressive dismissal approach. A good thing if one does not like long lists (I don't). Not so good if plenty of passes are needed to allow for incubation.
Comments?
With spiral-bound notebooks I've always used a ballpoint pen and put it down the wire spine as Will suggests. The clip on the pen holds it in place.
So what is your 'pen of choice'?
<< AF1 method is followed, except that the closed list is now a day. The list for the current day can be left open during the day so that new entries can be added. >>
I remember trying this as part of my experimentation for AF1. I remember it didn't work very well for me, but I can't remember why!
I'll be interested to hear how you get on with it.
My favourite is the unsurpassable Bic Cristal.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bic_Cristal
However, as you can see from the illustration, it is unsuitable for use with a spiral notebook because the whole cap will protrude above the top of the notebook and may easily get knocked off.
So I suggest the almost-but-not-quite-as-good Papermate Comfortmate which doesn't have a removable cap.
http://www.internet-ink.co.uk/userfiles/image/Pen%20Images/papermate_comfortmate_retblack.jpg
Thanks Mark!
I used to find that with the Bic Cristal, but they seemed to have improved it recently so it doesn't happen so much. All ball point pens seem to suffer from this, whatever their cost, and I think the Bic as now as good as any.
<<I've found with all cheap pens, biros, the ink balls up on the trailing edge of the nib when drawing lines through things.>>
My absolute favorite is the Pilot G2. The ink does very occasionally ball up, and once in a while I seem to get a bad one that keeps balling up even after I wipe it clean. But the vast majority of these are smooth and trouble free. These pens fit very well into most spiral bindings, and the clip locks them in place.
http://www.pilotpen.us/ProductGroup/35-G2.aspx?ProductId=111
0.7 mm is good for regular use, 0.5 mm is good for check registers or small journals.
They are calling it a "gel roller." The ink is formulated with a gel, probably the reason for less smudge, but it feels like a very smooth ballpoint.
http://www.uniball-na.com/main.taf?p=2,2,6
http://www.moleskineus.com/cahier-pocket-graph.html
they all have Moleskine similar versions & fanatics seem to imply better than Moleskine
here are some
http://rhodiapads.com/collections_boutique_webnotebook.shtml
"... in Europe seems as if you have a far better culture of great paper..."
China has a fair tradition of paper and penmanship, I believe. :0)
I also use a quiver double pen holder on it that holds my fountain pen and highlighter. You can get quiver holders at www.quiverglobal.com. They are a FANTASTIC price and look/feel great.
FYI, i have absolutely no connection with either company. I just love their products.
Hope this helps.
Brett
http://www.amazon.com/uni-ball-Retractable-Medium-Point-Colored-40110/dp/B000FD5818
there are several colors and sizes and it's readily available (at least in US)
But the Pilot G2 is a close second. the Micro doesn't write as smooth as a 207 micro but it does make a finer line. In the .5 size, they are pretty close.
you are right, China DOES have great tradition of paper and writing. perhaps even invented both?
my comment was more from that Moleskine gives off a whiff of brand/history all steeped in Italy, which certainly is known for craftsmanship, and then really turns out to be from China.
yet perhaps OK, China makes the iPhone, certainly should be able to make a notebook - so might not really be an issue.
while some of the others do seem to be actually from their country that they say they are from.
this is all somewhat arbitrary in such a global economy, where everything is made from everywhere and goes everywhere. so maybe it matters, maybe not. overall, the quality does seem to be better with Rhodia and related.
finally, I'm aware of some ironic aspects that China has "taken" business away for such things as manufacturing of porcelain, which were in fact stolen from China in the first place.
so no problem, for me, with China or most of their products.
( i do have a problem with USA companies endlessly closing down USA based factories to make instead in China - eventually USA will only make pizza deliveries and movies - that being somewhat from Snow Crash )